Horley to Unveil Plaque Honouring WWI "Munitionettes" — the 'Canaries' Who Filled Five Million Shells

Plaque to Honour Horley's First World War Munitionettes

A commemorative plaque for the women who worked at a First World War munitions factory in Horley, Surrey, will be unveiled at the Archways on Saturday at 13:00 GMT. Historians estimate the workers — commonly known as the Munitionettes — filled roughly five million shells at the local site after being recruited to replace men serving on the Western Front.

Historian Veronica Ballard: "Fifteen acres of Horley Gardens Estate was turned into an ammunitions store."

Ballard says it was a significant change in public perception to trust women with the delicate and hazardous task of filling artillery shells. The work carried real risks: explosions could occur, and prolonged exposure to TNT often discoloured the workers' skin. Because many emerged with yellowed faces, they became popularly known as the "Canaries."

Ms Ballard added that recognising these women with a permanent memorial remains important more than a century later: "If you're on the sidelines people don't take a lot of notice ... We feel it would be good to let the people of Horley know that these women did give some very good service."

The plaque aims to acknowledge the courage, skill and labour of the Munitionettes and to raise public awareness of Horley's wartime role. Local history groups and community members are expected to attend the unveiling.

Further information: Horley History Society and local archives hold more details and personal accounts from the factory workers known as the Munitionettes.